What to do to increase your thermal comfort?
What to do to increase your thermal comfort?
What to do to increase your thermal comfort?
During hot summer days, maintaining thermal comfort can be challenging. Here are evidence-based, behavioral strategies to help you stay cool and comfortable while optimizing energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Recommended indoor temperature: 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
Humidity: 40–60%
• Check that the air temperature is between 24–26 °C. Every degree lower increases energy consumption by 6–8%.
If you are in a monitored environment, check the room temperature using the NBLL App.
If you are in a non-sensorized environment, use your phone as a sensor and turn off the system when not needed.
• Close windows from late morning to late afternoon to avoid heat ingress (or if the temperature is higher than 26 °C).
• Close doors to non-cooled spaces to prevent loss of conditioned air when AC is on.
• Open windows during late afternoon or early morning when outdoor temperature is lower than indoor temperature (with AC off). Keep interior doors open to improve cross-ventilation and promote air movement when using natural ventilation.
• Ensure at least one daily air exchange for indoor air quality, even in summer.
• Close blinds, curtains, or external shading devices during peak sun hours.
• Open them in the early morning or evening to maximize natural light without heat gain.
• Drink water regularly to support your body's natural cooling mechanisms. Avoid excessive caffeine, which can hinder thermoregulation.
• When indoor temperatures are very high (> 28°C), wet your wrists and neck to quickly reduce body heat.
During cold winter days, maintaining thermal comfort while conserving energy can be challenging. Here are evidence-based, behavioral strategies to help you stay warm and comfortable while optimizing energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Recommended indoor temperature: 20–22 °C (68–72 °F)
Humidity: 40–50%
• Set the thermostat to 20–22 °C. Every degree higher increases energy consumption by 6–8%.
If you are in a monitored environment, check the room temperature using the NBLL App.
If you are in a non-sensorized environment, use your phone as a sensor and lower heating when leaving the room.
• Keep windows closed during cold hours to prevent heat loss.
• Close doors to unheated spaces to prevent loss of warm air.
• Open windows briefly (5–10 minutes) during the warmest part of the day for air exchange. Turn off heating during ventilation to avoid energy waste.
• Ensure at least one daily air exchange for indoor air quality, even in winter. Short, intense ventilation is better than leaving windows slightly open for long periods.
• Open blinds and curtains on south-facing windows during sunny hours to let natural warmth in.
• Close curtains and blinds after sunset to add an extra layer of insulation and retain heat.
• Check windows and doors for drafts. Use draft stoppers or weather stripping if needed.
• Keep furniture away from radiators to allow proper heat circulation.
• Wear warm clothing indoors (sweaters, socks, slippers) to stay comfortable at lower thermostat settings. Each layer can allow you to reduce heating by 1–2 °C.
• Drink warm beverages like tea, coffee, or hot water to help maintain body warmth from the inside.
• Light physical activity helps generate body heat. Take short movement breaks if you've been sitting for a long time.
In spring and autumn the building runs on its own: the heating is off, the air conditioning is not available, and nobody in the office can switch them on. Mornings can be cool and afternoons warm. Windows, blinds and clothing are the tools that keep you comfortable, at no energy cost.
Indoor temperature: about 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
Humidity: 40–60%
• On warm days open the windows early in the morning and in the evening, when it is cooler outside than inside; close them when it gets warmer outside.
• On chilly mornings keep the windows shut and air the room for 5–10 minutes in the mildest hours: the room keeps the warmth of the day before.
• Ensure at least one daily air exchange for indoor air quality. If you are in a monitored environment, check the room using the NBLL App.
• Lower blinds and curtains on sunny windows in the warmest hours to keep the afternoon heat out.
• On cool sunny mornings leave them open to let the sun warm the room, and to use the daylight.
• Electric heaters and portable air conditioners use a lot of energy: a sweater for a cool morning and a desk fan for a warm afternoon do the job for much less.
• Layers take you from a cool morning to a warm afternoon: add or remove one instead of waiting for the heating or the air conditioning.
• Drink water regularly, especially on the first warm afternoons of the season.